Is this really all the protection pedestrians and cyclists are afforded in Fullerton?
A Recent Incident I Witnessed in Downtown Fullerton by
Fullerton Resident Susan Levinson.
After hearing Fullerton resident Judith Kaluzny speak at the last City Council meeting about much needed awareness for pedestrians crossing our streets within the crosswalks I am reminded of a situation that I witnessed a few months ago.
While driving my car south on Harbor Blvd. just north of Chapman at approximately 10 in the morning I stopped at the crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross from Angelo & Vinci’s restaurant towards Big Slice Pizza. In the lane next to me was an on-duty Fullerton motorcycle policeman. The officer and I both watched as the woman began to cross in the crosswalk and then 2 cars heading north drove right through the crosswalk forcing the pedestrian to stop mid-stream & jump back to the curb. The policeman watched both cars drive right through the crosswalk, endangering the woman’s life. Yet, even though the officer was in the fast lane and could have easily and safely made a U-turn to pull one or both drivers over, he did not.
After the woman made it safely across the street the traffic resumed, and the officer and I pulled up next to each other at the stoplight. I rolled my window down & asked him why he didn’t pull over either of those drivers as the pedestrian had the right of way. His response to me was: “I don’t like that crosswalk”. I’ve told them it’s not in a good place”. I said, “But isn’t it against the law to drive through the crosswalk when the pedestrian is already there?” He replied, “Yes.” I said, “Then you should have cited both of the drivers.” He answered with a nod yes of his head and drove away as the light turned green.
It is not a police officer’s job to choose which crosswalks he or she likes or doesn’t like when it comes to enforcing the law. It is his or her job to protect and serve. Because our police department may not protect us as pedestrians we must be ever more vigilant about walking around our town.
Susan Levinson
#1 by Wild Wild West on February 21, 2015 - 8:03 pm
Remember folks that the Fullerton police officer not enforcing the above mentioned serious traffic violation is a traffic officer. This is what he is paid to do full-time. Yet in his own words he says he doesn’t enforce traffic laws that do not meet with his approval.
The last time I checked police officers were supposed to enforce the law not ignore it based on their likes and dislikes.
But in the newly reformed, transparent Fullerton Police Department, selective enforcement is still the name of the game.
This is a department run amok. They know vis a vis Kelly Thomas that they can cause a person’s death and still not be held legally accountable. So of course they feel that they can do just about anything else they like with impunity.
My suggestion if you want to live in a city where the police officers enforce, respect and obey the law, you need to move somewhere else. It is dangerous to live in a city where the police think they can act like kings.
#2 by Anonymous on February 22, 2015 - 10:35 am
At first glance, you guys all seem to be majoring in minors. I did think about and you do have a point. With all the law and order in Orange County, we almost always hand these people a pass. I cannot believe I have been that conditioned. This really was a big deal. What’s more is the crosswalk is still there. I am sure the officer had his reasons for not liking it so perhaps it should be removed. Maybe it needs to come out. Have any of you contacted the traffic department at city hall?